Pratts Bananas md Robert Wells has moved to quash rumours of possible industrial action at the Luton-based firm.
“There are no ‘strike action fears’ at Pratts Bananas,” Wells told FPJ. “There is no dispute and no ‘footdragging’; what is happening is both sides are negotiating an agreement… As far as Pratts is concerned, negotiations with the GMB union have been going very well. Last week we submitted our latest proposal, on time, and are keen to move things forward as quickly as possible. Acas has yet to verify the exact number of union employees that the GMB has at Pratts. We first suggested Acas carry out that check last November.”
Wells said the firm is keen to work with the GMB. “We see the union as a valuable resource, and we both share the aim of supporting our staff and continuing to develop Pratts and keep its enviable industry position. We are genuine in these feelings, as we take these matters very seriously.”
Press reports last week that said banana supplies could be disrupted because of a dispute between the importer and the union angered Wells, and were completely without foundation, he told FPJ.
“In the last 12 months, there have been many achievements at Pratts which we are understandably proud of,” he said. The firm has greatly increased its permanent staff after the offer of permanent roles to all agency staff were accepted by 237 people, bringing the total number of permanent staff to around 400. A human resources manager and personnel staff have also been appointed, and terms and conditions for agency staff have been harmonised to ensure they receive increased overtime rates for weekend work and an upper working limit of 55 hours a week.
Other innovations include a review of pay and conditions, leading to pay increases and an employee consultation on holiday entitlement.
“An Ethical Trading Initiative base code audit was carried out in September, which found Pratts to be fully compliant,” said Wells.
Pratts has invited the GMB union onto its premises nine times to recruit members, following a BBC radio broadcast about working conditions in May last year.
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